You Don’t Have Pot Or Want Our Trollop, So We’ll Just Take Your Wallet

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Jon Leland Smith

Brian James Newcomb

City of Arcata

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALLEY WEST ROBBERY

On Wednesday August 14, 2013, at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers from the Arcata Police Department responded to the Motel 6 on Valley West Blvd. for a reported disturbance.

Upon the officer’s arrival they contacted two men who were staying at the motel. The men reported they had been approached by three men who attempted to purchase marijuana. The two victims informed the three men they did not have any marijuana for sale. The suspects then offered to trade the services of a prostitute in exchange for marijuana. Again the victims declined.

While the victims were distracted engaging in conversation with two of the suspects, the third suspect entered the victim’s room. When the victims noticed the third suspect had gone into their room, they returned to their room and a physical fight ensued between the two victims and the suspect. The remaining two suspects came to the aid of the third suspect who was being beaten by the two victims. They were able to extricate the third suspect and all three fled the area in a vehicle.

The suspects were able to escape with one of the victim’s wallet and some other property.

The suspects were described as two possibly Hispanic male adults and one black male adult with dreadlocks. All three were described as being in their twenties. The vehicle was described as a maroon GMC Envoy and a partial license plate was obtained.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. information was received that the vehicle and two of the suspects were at Mid-City Motor World just north of Eureka. Officers from the Eureka Police Department and investigators from the Arcata Police Department responded and took the two men into custody without incident. The victim’s wallet and other property were located with the suspects.

Jon Leland Smith, 27, and Brian James Newcomb, 24, both of Hoopa, were arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Jail on charges of PC 211, Robbery.

The third suspect, a black male adult in his early twenties with dreadlocks, known only as “Melvin” is still outstanding.

Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of “Melvin” is asked to call the Arcata Police Department at 822-2428